Colombia
Business Etiquette, Culture, & Manners

Colombia
Introduction

Colombia
has a population of approximately 33 Million with
an ethnic composition of 58 percent mestizo, 20
percent European, 14 percent mulatto, and the remaining
of African descent (living on the north coastal
areas), and mixed African-Amerindian. Pure-blooded
Amerindians now constitute only 1 percent of the
population. The Republic of Colombia is a unitary,
multiparty republic with two legislative houses:
the 102-seat Senate and the 161-seat House of Representatives.
The president is elected to a single four-year
term and cannot succeed himself. The president
is both chief of state and head of government.

Spanish
is the official language, however, some Amerindians
speak only their native languages. Many business
people understand English. The vast majority of
Colombians (95 percent) are Roman Catholic. The
Colombia constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

ColombiaFun
Fact

Colombian
women are among the most politically active in Latin
America, in spite of cultural restrictions on their
social and work behavior. Colombia is divided by
three mountain ranges, and this has led to the development
of strong regional movements. When these movements
fail to find common ground with the government in
Bogota, guerrilla movements (usually left-wing) evolve.

Geert
Hofstede Analysis for Colombia

The Geert Hofstede analysis for Colombia
is similar to other Latin American countries where there is very
strong uncertainty avoidance, large power distance, and low individualism.
This is indicative of a society that has a high concern for rules,
regulations, and controls, is slow to accept change, and is risk
adverse. There is a high emphasis placed on close ties with individuals,
or relationships, whereby everyone takes responsibility for fellow
members of their group. There are significant inequalities of
power and wealth within the society. Colombia has one of
the highest
masculinity rankings in Latin America. This indicates that the
country experiences a high degree of gender differentiation of
roles. The male dominates a significant portion of the society
and power structure.

Colombia
is similar to many Latin American countries when
analyzing Hofstede's Dimensions.

Colombia's
highest Hofstede Dimension is Uncertainty Avoidance
(UAI) at 80, indicating the society’s
low level of tolerance for uncertainty. In an effort
to minimize or reduce this level of uncertainty, strict
rules, laws, policies, and regulations are adopted
and implemented. The ultimate goal of this population
is to control everything in order to eliminate or avoid
the unexpected. As a result of this high Uncertainty
Avoidance characteristic, the society does not readily
accept change and is very risk adverse.

Colombia has a
low Individualism (IDV) rank (13), as do most Latin
countries (average 21). The score on this Dimension
indicates the society is Collectivist as compared
to Individualist. This is manifest in a close long-term
commitment to the member 'group', be that a family,
extended family, or extended relationships. Loyalty
in a collectivist culture is paramount, and over-rides
most other societal rules and regulations. The society
fosters strong relationships where everyone takes
responsibility
for fellow members of their group

The Power Distance (PDI) ranking of 67 indicates a
level of inequality of power and wealth within the
society.

Colombia has one of the higher masculinity rankings
in Latin America (64). This indicates the country experiences
a higher degree of gender differentiation of roles.
The male dominates a significant portion of the society
and power structure.

In
many of the Latin American countries, including Colombia,
the population is predominantly Catholic
(see Religions Graph below). The combination of Catholicism
and the cultural dimensions reinforce a philosophy
predicated in the belief that there is an absolute ‘Truth”.
As Geert Hofstede explains about peoples with a high
Uncertainty Avoidance Index, their attitude is, “There
can only be one Truth and we have it.” More Geert Hofstede Details

Religion
in Colombia

*
WORLD FACTBOOK 2011

In a country that has over 50% of its population
practicing the Catholic religion, we found the primary
correlating Hofstede Dimension to be Uncertainty
Avoidance (UAI). There were only 2 countries out
of 23 that did not follow this correlation, they
were Ireland and the Philippines. (See accompanying
Article)

ColombiaAppearance

For
dress, formality increases as you move inland.
It is important to adopt conservative business
attire inland. Suits in dark colors are preferred.
Women should dress conservatively and modestly:
a suit or dress

Colombians
stand closer together when conversing than North
Americans, however they engage in less physical
contact during conversation than other South Americans

It
is impolite to yawn in public

Colombian
women will often substitute the gesture of holding
forearms for a handshake

Colombians
indicate that someone is stingy by tapping their
fingers on their elbow

The "O.K." gesture
(thumb and forefinger curled into a circle) when
placed as a circle over ones nose indicates
that someone is homosexual

Two
pointing fingers (as North Americans would use
to indicate length) is an obscene gesture in Colombia

Avoid
putting your feet up on a table or other piece
of furniture

Women
visitors should be especially sensitive about making
any glance or gesture that might be considered
flirtatious

Colombia Behavior
& Manners

Schedule
business appointments in advance

Punctuality
is relaxed; although as a foreigner you are expected
to be on time

Have
business cards printed in English on one side and
the translation Spanish on the other. Present the
card with the Spanish side facing your Colombian
colleague

Business
people prefer relaxed conversation before business

Lunch
is the main meal of the day and a popular choice
for a business meal

Typically,
the person who has initiated the invitation will
pay for a meal in a restaurant, although you may
have to fight for the check even though you have
issued the invitation

Colombia Communications

Handshaking
the customary greeting in business; dont
rush it. Colombians take a long time in greetings;
they feel it conveys respect for the other person.
Among friends, expect the abrazo, or embrace

Titles
are important and should be included on business
cards. Address a person directly by using his or
her title only. A Ph.D. or a physician is called Doctor.
Teachers prefer the title Profesor, engineers
go by Ingeniero, architects are Arquitecto,
and lawyers are Abogado. Persons who do
not have professional titles should be addressed
as Mr., Mrs., or Miss, plus their surnames. In
Spanish these are

Mr.
= Senor

Mrs.
= Senora

Miss
= Senorita

Most
Hispanics have two surnames: one from their father,
which is listed first, followed by one from their
mother. Only the fathers surname is used
when addressing someone